Countrymen create more history
HISTORY-MAKER Craig Denton says he is mighty proud of his Hallam squad for adding their own chapter to club folklore.
The Countrymen sealed the Northern Counties East Football League Division One title with a 2-1 home win over Clipstone last Saturday.
A crowd of 1,179 turned up at Sandygate – the world’s oldest football ground – to witness the world’s second oldest football club’s first league title in 61 years, having last won Division Two of the Yorkshire League in 1961.
And boss Denton believes that becoming a once-in-a-generation success at a club like Hallam adds to the occasion.
“It’s such a historical football club with lots of heritage and for us to be a part of that is unbelievable,” he said.
“The football club is known widely, with people knowing about Sandygate’s history. It’s just brilliant to be involved with a promotion with such a fantastic club that’s well run by all the volunteers.
“The resources we have, the sponsorship, things like that are a hugely key part of running a football club and without volunteers we wouldn’t have a promotion.” Last Saturday’s crowd may have been the highest of the season for both club and the Step 6 Northern Counties East League but it isn’t the first time that the Sheffield-based side have attracted a four-figure attendance this season.
Figures of 1,128 and 1,048 turned up for crucial games against fellow promotion chasers Brigg Town and North Ferriby respectively, proving that Sandygate – the club’s home since 1860 – is still as popular as ever by the locals.
Indeed, Hallam’s average league attendance of 614 this year is not just the highest in Division One of the NCEL but is also the highest in the Premier Division as well.
Buzz
Asked about the importance of such backing, Denton said: “It’s been a huge factor.
“Everybody talks about the 12th man but, at this level of Non-League when sometimes you’re not having the best of games but have your supporters cheering you on, it gives you an extra spring in your step.
“Everyone wants to be involved in games like that [the game against Clipstone] and involved with clubs that have good support so it’s a huge push for us and it’s taken us over the line on many occasions this season.
“The football club play a pivotal role in the community and there’s a good buzz around the place. People come out to see what it’s all about.”
Few could argue with how dominant the South Yorkshire side have been in the league this season, having achieved a goal difference of 102 – the highest in the history of the division.
Their performances have left Denton – who has previously managed Rainworth Miners Welfare, Barton Town and Worksop Town in the Premier Division as well as winning promotion out of the league with the latter – with no doubt that his current side can continue to do well again next season.
“I think I’ll try to keep this group and I think we’ll certainly go into the Premier Division and hopefully not have to look over our shoulders at relegation, we want to go up there and compete,” he added.
“We’ve got some players in there who have got the experience to go back up there and compete, and we’ve got some really raw talent who I think will absolutely flourish in it.”
